USBGA Training class

JOB OVERVIEW

SHOW MANAGER

A very important job that requires broad shoulders, strong organizational skills, attention to details, problem solving skills, careful preparation, patience - and a good sense of humor!

JOB OVERVIEW

PUT TOGETHER A CREW

USBGA licensed judge Ring stewards Show secretary Announcer Barn Stewards (to help line up animals, assist

exhibitors, etc.)

JOB OVERVIEW

PUT TOGETHER A FOLDER Copy of “Intent to Host” form from USBGA

office (it can also be found at www.USBGA.org)

Copy of the signed contract for location of show

Secure Judge(s) for the show date and get contracts in the mail. Very important to keep excellent communications with the Judge(s).

Copy of insurance required by your venue. Obtain and record names and certificate

numbers of Show Manager, Show Secretary and Ring steward from online class. The certificates will be mail once online course has been completed.

Prepare a marketing, show and show facility budget. Keep in mind unforeseen items.

Arrange best deals at Hotels/Motels in the area that is close to the show grounds (be sure to look at a sample room for first hand review). Reserve rooms for Judges and show secretary, Ring Steward, Show Manager and staff.

Learn and know the USBGA paperwork and show rules in detail. You are responsible to sign so double check and make sure all is correct.

Confirm date of show (check for Holidays, School schedules, shows in area)

JOB OVERVIEW

VISIT THE VENUE Review RV parking area on grounds for size

and available hook-ups, water, electric, ease of access, lighting, security and map

Review show grounds in person for size, footing, weather protections, pens, security, trailer parking, ease of access to ring, restrooms, snack bar, ring size, goat-proof holding pens, water, electric, cost, available dates, comes with services and sound systems (barn pages and ring).

JOB OVERVIEW

IMPORTANT 6 POINTS:

PRE SHOW:

Get with your show committee and have a brain storm for ideas, suggestions, money makers, prep work and get going on them.

Have a “plan B” should you need one. Such as a severe weather problem and the show needs to be canceled, Judges emergency, equipment problems, facility problems and snack bar issues. Think about the “what if’s” and have a plan in place and known to your crew should it need to be implemented.

Meet and review show day schedule ahead of show date and again the day before with staff. Which includes job duties (welcome and information, pen assignments, Show Secretary office, Parking for RV’s /Trailers, barn assistant walking the barns to resolve any needs and problems).

PRE SHOW

Dress your show staff in a uniformed color and shirt at pre-show and show days.

Check that Judges have arrived and all is well with them. Review show day times and plans with them.

Shop for drinks, snacks and water for your crew and Judges.

Check your show and equipment list (tables, fans, chairs, grooming table, tools, fly spray)

PRE SHOW

Review again the show grounds the week of show if live close by. If not, be in contact with show grounds manager to review plans, problems and changes. Arrive at show grounds at least a day ahead to do walk through.

Check radios and set them on charge. Know cell phone numbers for crew, grounds and local Hospital. Extra batteries?

Always remember that first impressions will set your events at the show. Smoothly-run shows with good communication and customer service skills yield more entries with happy exhibitors and better returns!

IMPORTANT 6 POINTS:

SHOW LIST!

If available, have holding pens near ringside for 1st and 2nd place goats. Tie-lines with swivel snaps are great to encourage goats to ringside for smooth transitions between classes. Barn calls for a full Division to ringside.

Tasteful decorations on backdrop, awards table, Secretary table and ring. Post signage for schedules, snack bar, raffle table, secretary office, welcome exhibitors!

Know your weather: fans for hot summer and possibly misters, heaters for winter near Secretary/Judges area. If you are in a severe weather area, know safety plans of show grounds.

Good lighting for Secretary’s table and for best viewing of Judged goats.

SHOW LIST!

Sound check of ring equipment and barn announcements.

Trophy and awards table set up and organized.

Grooming table(s) at ringside. Used by Judge(s) for checking tattoos, teats, conformation soundness on bucks or does without having to restrain them by several people. Planning will avoid injuries to both goats and people.

Make arrangements for lunches. Feed your crew ahead of lunch break and plan delivery of meals for Show Secretary, Ring steward and Judge(s).

IMPORTANT 6 POINTS:

SHOW DAY!

PLACES, EVERYONE!

Snack bar should be open 2 hours before show. Show Secretary table at ringside. Show

Secretary’s desk needs to be manned 2 hours ahead of show time to take late entries, changes, faxes, check-ins and problems.

Announcer should begin barn calls at least 1 hour before show begins to keep exhibitors abreast of time, changes and classes. Note: Barn calls are a courtesy. It is the exhibitors responsibility to not miss a class.

Judge(s) to appear on the show grounds no more than 30 minutes before show begins.

SHOW DAY!

AT RINGSIDE:

Chairs Cooler of drinks/snacks Photo backdrop with show sign and USBGA

banner Ribbons/awards Hose to water show ring if becomes dusty Table from which to sell USBGA logo items Table with door prizes Flashlight, Antibacterial wipes, weight tape and

notepad “Official USBGA show” sign, copy of rules and

class list taped to table

SHOW DAY!

Ring needs to be walked and checked. Suggested footing should be firm or shallow ground that is free of rocks, nails, holes and should have a good covering of sawdust, wood chips or sand. It must be goat-secure. Judge needs to be able to view tracking of goats and may need to turn goat loose to view.

Main job is to “keep show moving along and on task”. Show needs to begin on time. Remember to welcome your exhibitors and Judges.

Barn calls should begin at least 1 hour before show begins to keep exhibitors abreast of time, changes and classes. Note: Barn calls are a courtesy. It is the exhibitors responsibility to not miss a class.

SHOW DAY!

Through the day check with the Show Secretary for needs and plan for lunch break. Don’t forget barn announcement for return start time and class starting back with after lunch break! Stay on time!

Lunch break is for watering the ring, raking it, refill coolers, fixing anything broken. Review schedule for afternoon classes and needs. Keep in mind time if you have flights to make. Good time to review Report of Champions for the sessions completed already.

As show is coming to the end, begin reviewing the Report of Champions so that when the last class is completed it will be ready for the Judge to sign.

IMPORTANT 6 POINTS:

FOLLOW UP AFTER SHOW:

Help to make sure that the Show Secretary has the Report of Champions completed (signatures from winners and Judge)

Present your Judges with a “thank you” gift. See that they are on their way in a timely manner. Follow up with a call to make sure they are home.

Take your crew out to dinner as a “thank-you” when the show is wrapped up and done.

FOLLOW UP AFTER SHOW:

Make detailed notes of changes, good ideas, problems and comments for improvements at the next show. Get input from exhibitors. If possible have a brief After-Action Review with show crew and exhibitors to discuss the show with a focus on “How can we make it better?”

Thank your exhibitors as you walk through the barns.

Most importantly, take the time to write personal “thank-you” notes to all of your crew, show ground manager and Judge(s). Tip: write a story about the show for the USBGA magazine including photos!

IMPORTANT 6 POINTS:

SHOW IDEAS

Silent Auction tables. Such as feed, gift certificates, goat items, homemade goodies, travel snack box. Have drawings between classes and/or at lunch, but save the “bell ringer” to end of show.

Have drawings for door prizes. Grab bag items for youth class participants. A

great idea is a ice cream coupon for an award. Gift basket for Exhibitor who drives the

furthest, brings the most entries and first time exhibitor.

To encourage early entries, have a raffle for entries received by a set date. Announce at show…helps if it is a $ value!

Thoughtful, fun, useful unique awards for Championships makes the win sweeter.

IMPORTANT 6 POINTS:

QUESTIONS?

Do you have any questions or areas that you would like to review?

Thank-You for supporting the USBGA and we wish you the best of luck at your show!

Had fun? Want to try another event, host a “Fun Match” or a Clinic for another suggestion from USBGA. Remember, keep it fun for ALL!